The host Loyd Star Hornets captured a pair of big Division 6-2Awins over the Madison St. Joseph Bruins Thursday night.

Senior guard Jared Britt pumped in a game-high 21 points topower the Hornets in a 79-69 win. Britt also pulled down 10rebounds, made three steals and had five assists.

In varsity girls action, Loyd Star senior post player AshtonWilliams had a career-high 20 points, 10 rebounds and five stealsin leading the Lady Hornets to a 64-51 victory over the LadyBruins.

Loyd Star plays its final regular season home game Friday,hosting division rival Piney Woods.

” I was pleased to get that district game,” said Loyd Star boyscoach Gene “Moochie” Britt after the win. “They are a good ballteam.”

The Hornets (19-4, 7-3) roared to a 27-15 lead over the Bruins(9-17, 1-4) in the first quarter. At halftime, St. Joe cut thedeficit to 10-points, 43-33, on a mid court three-pointer fromJames Harris.

Loyd Star took advantage of a hot third quarter for a 22-9 runon St. Joe to command a 65-42 lead going in to the final frame.

“We played three good quarters,” added Coach Britt. “Our subsdid a good job coming off the bench. Our press did a good job.”

Three other Hornets finished the game in double figures. TylerWilliford fired in 16 points, Sidney Chester netted 15 points andmade three steals followed by Rufus Humphries with 11 points, sixrebounds, four steals and six assists.

For Madison St. Joe, George Mulout led with 12 points. NateTolar, Malcolm Kirkland, James Harris and Davin Thomas finishedwith 11 points apiece.

The Lady Hornets (13-9, 6-4) overcame a 12-9 deficit tothe Lady Bruins (7-13, 2-2) in the first quarter. They made a 17-12run in the second quarter and took a two point, 26-24, lead athalftime.

The Loyd Star girls played a great third quarter,outscoring the St. Joe girls 21-10 on their way to a 47-34 edgegoing into the final frame.

“It wasn’t pretty,” said Loyd Star girls coach LoriBritt. “We prevailed. Ashton got a career-high 20points.”

Contributing to the Loyd Star girls’ win with 16 pointsand nine rebounds was Shara Johnson. Jordan Britt, who sat out thethird quarter with four fouls, scored 11 points, grabbed ninerebounds, made three steals and had seven assists. Amanda Smithcollected five rebounds and made three steals.

Leading St. Joe with a game-high 35 points was guardNedisha Anderson.

Junior varsity boys

St. Joseph nipped Loyd Star 45-42 in overtime. MalcolmKirkland led the Bruins with 18 points.

Loyd Star (3-3) got 10 points from Brent Fells. AdamCase and Drew Case followed with nine points apiece.

@Bbstandings:GIRLS

Loyd Star 64, Madison St. Joseph 51

St. Joseph (51) Nedisha Anderson 35, Andrews 8, Epps 6,Chaffee 2.

Loyd Star (64) Ashton Williams 20, Shara Johnson 16,Jordan Britt 11, Newell 4, A. Smith 3, Lofton 6, Brown1.

Total fouls: St. Joseph 22. Loyd Star 17. Fouledout-Johnson. Technicals-Anderson, St. Joe coach LaToyaCarter.

Free throws M-A: Loyd Star 20-31. St. Joseph10-12.

3-point goals: Loyd Star 3 (Britt, Johnson, Nettles).St. Joseph 2 (Anderson).

Madison St. Joe

12

10

10

17

—

51

Loyd Star

9

17

21

17

—

64

BOYS

Loyd Star 79, Madison St. Joseph 69

St. Joseph (69) George Mulout 12, Davin Thomas 11, JamesHarris 11, Nate Tolar 11, Hicks 7, Tennin 2, Hastings.

Loyd Star (79) Jared Britt 21, Tyler Williford 16,Sidney Chester 15, Rufus Humphries 11, Branning 9, Smith 6, Fells1.

Total fouls: St. Joseph 22. Loyd Star 19. Fouledout-Thomas. Technicals-None.

Free throws M-A: Loyd Star 8-20. St. Joseph15-22.

3-point goals: Loyd Star 7 (Williford 3, Chester 2,Britt, Humphries). St. Joseph 4 (Mulout 2, Harris,Thomas).

Madison St. Joe

15

18

9

27

—

69

Loyd Star

27

16

22

14

—

79